Anger Management (2003)

Last updated:
December 5, 2025

Anger Management (2003), directed by Peter Segal, is a comedy built around misunderstanding, ego, suppressed emotions, and one very chaotic anger therapy program. Below is a complete, spoiler-filled guide covering everything from the detailed plot to cast, filming locations, easter eggs, behind-the-scenes stories, and more.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Setup: Dave’s Calm Life… or So It Seems

Dave Buznik (Adam Sandler) is a quiet, conflict-avoidant man living in New York. Although he appears calm, it’s a forced calm, the result of years of being bullied, overlooked, and pressured. When he’s wrongly accused of assaulting a flight attendant and sentenced to anger management therapy, his ordinary life derails.

Enter Dr. Buddy Rydell

Dr. Buddy Rydell (Jack Nicholson), an eccentric, unpredictable, and bizarrely hands-on anger management specialist, is assigned to Dave’s case. Buddy’s approach is… unconventional. He invades Dave’s personal space, moves into his apartment, and tries to provoke him into showing real emotion.

Catastrophic Therapy Sessions

Buddy forces Dave to confront people who’ve wronged him. This includes his childhood bully, his boss, a monk, and a man with anger issues at a Buddhist temple. Every attempt to “help” Dave actually destroys Dave’s stability further.

All of this builds toward Dave questioning not only Buddy’s professionalism but also his sanity.

The Spiral of Chaos

Dave suspects Buddy of trying to steal his girlfriend Linda (Marisa Tomei). Buddy pushes Dave to face his fears, but Dave sees it as harassment. Eventually, Dave snaps and goes on the run after violating his court order.

Everything escalates until Dave interrupts a Yankees baseball game in front of thousands, desperately trying to confront Linda.

Movie Ending

The ending reveals that Buddy’s extreme behavior has been part of a coordinated intervention planned by Linda.

Here’s how it unfolds:

Dave storms the Yankees stadium to stop what he believes is Buddy romancing Linda. In a chaotic moment, Dave stands at home plate and confesses his love for Linda publicly. He finally expresses his real feelings—anger, affection, insecurity, everything he’s been bottling up for years.

Buddy reveals that this whole experience was part of an elaborate anger-management exercise approved by the judge, designed to force Dave to stop suppressing emotions and finally stand up for himself. Linda confirms that she asked Buddy to help Dave open up because Dave’s refusal to express himself was damaging their relationship.

Dave realizes that Buddy was never the enemy—the real problem was Dave’s lifelong avoidance of confrontation and emotional expression.

The movie closes with Dave and Linda reunited, Dave emotionally healthier, and Buddy satisfied that Dave finally did the work.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Anger Management does not include any post-credits scenes.

Type of Movie

Anger Management is a comedy with elements of character-driven drama, wrapped in a high-energy, absurd tone built around personality clashes and emotional growth.

Cast

Adam Sandler as Dave Buznik
Jack Nicholson as Dr. Buddy Rydell
Marisa Tomei as Linda
Luis Guzmán as Lou
Woody Harrelson as Galaxia
John Turturro as Chuck
Kevin Nealon as Sam
Krista Allen as Stacy
Derek Jeter cameo
Rudy Giuliani cameo

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Teddy Castellucci, who often worked with Adam Sandler on his early 2000s films. The soundtrack features classic rock and upbeat comedic cues that complement the movie’s chaotic pacing.

Filming Locations

New York City, USA – The heart of the story. NYC’s high-energy environment emphasizes Dave’s anxiety and fear of confrontation.
Los Angeles, California – Used mainly for interiors and studio sets.
Yankee Stadium – A major location for the finale. This iconic setting reinforces the film’s theme of public vulnerability and marks the emotional climax where Dave confronts his fears head-on.

Awards and Nominations

Anger Management didn’t win major awards but received attention in:

Teen Choice Awards – Nominated for Choice Movie: Comedy
Jack Nicholson received humorous nods for his over-the-top performance
The film also earned several MTV Movie Award–style mentions (non-competitive categories) due to its pop-culture impact

Behind the Scenes Insights

Jack Nicholson stayed in character between takes, making cast members unsure whether he was acting or genuinely saying something “Buddy-like.”
Nicholson personally pitched ideas for Buddy’s outrageous therapeutic methods.
The script originally had Buddy being even more antagonistic, but Nicholson requested a more “philosophical” eccentricity.
Adam Sandler said the only time he genuinely felt intimidated on set was during scenes where Nicholson yelled unexpectedly.

Inspirations and References

Loosely inspired by real anger management therapy practices, but exaggerated for comedy.
Draws stylistic influence from odd-couple movies of the 1970s.
Elements were inspired by courtroom-therapy comedies and misunderstood-hero narratives.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

A deleted scene had Buddy giving Dave a “graduation ceremony” after completing his anger training.
Another removed segment involved Buddy confronting Dave’s childhood bully in a more aggressive way.
Some alternate comedic takes exist but no significantly different ending was filmed.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The movie is not based on a book. However, it shares conceptual DNA with self-help and therapy books focused on emotional expression. No adaptation differences apply.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The airplane meltdown where Dave gets charged with assault.
Buddy and Dave sharing a bed and Buddy shouting, “I said GOOD NIGHT!”
The therapy group meeting where chaos ensues.
Dave singing “I Feel Pretty” on the bridge.
The Yankees stadium confession.

Iconic Quotes

Buddy: “You need to take control of your anger before it takes control of you.”
Dave: “You’re the patient from hell.”
Buddy: “Temper’s the one thing you can’t get rid of by losing it.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The “Yankees” appearances nod to Sandler’s lifelong support of New York sports teams.
Several real therapists were consultants but requested anonymity after reading the script.
Nicholson’s sunglasses in the film are a nod to his real-life habitual sunglasses look.

Trivia

This is one of the few films where Nicholson plays a comedic antagonist.
Woody Harrelson personally requested to play Galaxia after reading the script’s description.
Adam Sandler improvised several lines, but Nicholson refused to improvise—Sandler had to adjust to him.
Nicholson reportedly made the crew nervous by never rehearsing scenes until the camera was rolling.

Why Watch?

Because it’s a high-energy, character-driven comedy that mixes absurdity with surprising emotional depth. The chemistry between Sandler and Nicholson is both chaotic and oddly heartfelt. If you enjoy humor driven by personality clashes and escalating misunderstandings, Anger Management is a must-watch.

Director’s Other Movies

Tommy Boy (1995)
50 First Dates (2004)
The Longest Yard (2005)
Grudge Match (2013)
Get Smart (2008)

Anger Management (2003)

Detailed Summary